Magnetic soft top assembly

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a forward magnetic assembly that is formed along the forward edge of the main body. The forward magnetic assembly includes: (1) a reinforcement that is secured to the main body along at least a portion of the forward edge; (2) a first magnet that is secured to the main body along at least a portion of the forward edge of the main body and positioned to be substantially adjacent to the third reinforcement, where the first magnets is dimensioned such that first magnet, as secured to the main body, is configured to form an interference fit within a gap of a forward assembly of a vehicle; and (3) a fourth reinforcement that is formed along at least a portion of the forward edge of the main body, where the fourth reinforcement is positioned to be substantially adjacent to the first magnet.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/402,439 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,919,370) filed on May 3, 2019, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/668,913, which was filed on May 9, 2018, and which was entitled“MAGNETIC SOFTTOP ASSEMBLY.” Each application is hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to vehicle parts and, moreparticularly, to removable soft top.

BACKGROUND

Off-road vehicles (such as the JEEP® brand of vehicles) are a populartype of vehicle that owners often modify. Depending on the desires ofthe owners, the modifications can vary—from significant mechanicalchanges to minor aesthetic changes. FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example ofsuch a vehicle, and FIGS. 3-6 depict an example of a soft top—amodification to the vehicle 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle 100 (such as a 2018 JEEP® JKU)has a removable roof (not shown). Typically, the removable roof (notshow) is sectioned (i.e., formed of several pieces) and is typicallyformed of fiberglass. When the roof (not shown) is removed, theunderlying roll cage 102 is shown, which includes roof locks (not shown)to engage the removable roof. Typically, the roll cage 102 is comprisedof a forward assembly 104, a speaker or central bar 106, a rear bar 108,driver-side bar 105, passenger-side bar 107, and rear posts 110.

The forward assembly 104 is positioned of above the windshield andsecured to forward posts on each side of the windshield. Within theforward assembly 104, there is a windshield bar 116 that is secured tothe windshield and forward posts. Above the windshield bar 116, there isan upper member 120 and lower member 118, which are separated from thewindshield bar 116 by a gap 122. The upper and lower members 120 and 118are generally designed to form a seal with the removable roof (notshown), and the removable roof (not shown) is dimensioned to fit intothe gap 122. Also, included within the forward assembly 104 are roofanchors 114 (which are typically bolted to the windshield bar 116).

The driver-side bar 105 and passenger-side bar 107 will typically extendalong most of the length of passenger cabin and are supported by forwardposts in the front, center posts in the center and rear posts 110 in theback. Typically, these bars 105 and 107 are substantially parallel to onother with the front assembly 104, central bar 106, and rear bar 108extending between them. Additionally, the central bar 106 typicallyincludes roof locks (not shown) which engage the removable roof (notshown).

Turning to FIGS. 3 to 6, an example of a conventional soft top can beseen. Typically, the soft top 200 is a commonly referred to as a shadetop, meaning that it blocks a portion of the sunlight incident on thevehicle 100 to provide shade to the occupants. This shade 200 is formedof a main body 202 (which is usually formed of two mesh fabric sheets).Commonly, these sheets that form the main body are formed of nylon.Along the forward edge of the top 200, there is a set of clip assemblies204-1 to 204-3 (which are configured to engage roof anchors 114). Theseclips assemblies 204-1 to 204-3 are typically formed of a metal clip andstrap sewn to the underside of the main body 202 (as shown in FIG. 6).Then along each elongated edge of the main body 202, there are a numberof latch 206-1 to 206-7 assemblies which are generally designed to “wraparound” the bars 105 and 107. The latch assemblies 206-1 to 206-6 aregenerally formed of slide strap release with a strap that is typicallysewn to the underside of the main body 202 with male and femalereceptacles that interlock in a manner similar to a child restraint in acommon shopping cart.

Additionally, there is magnetic assembly 208 formed in the main body202. Within the magnetic assembly shown 208, there are magnets 210-1 to210-3 sewn in by way of pockets. The magnetic assembly 208 is positionedsuch that the magnets 210-1 to 210-3 engage the central bar 106 when thetop 200 is secured to the vehicle 100.

This type of top, though, lacks the ability to remain in place while theremovable roof is engaged and is limited to vehicles with roof anchors.Thus, there is a need for an improved soft top.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present disclosure, accordingly, provides anapparatus comprising: a main body having a forward edge, a rear edge, afirst elongated edge, and a second elongated edge, wherein the first andsecond elongated edges extends between the forward edge and rear edge; afirst reinforcement that is secured to the main body along at least aportion of the first elongated edge of the main body; a secondreinforcement that is secured to the main body along at least a portionof the second elongated edge of the main body; a first set of latchassemblies that are each secured at along at least a portion of thefirst elongated edge of the of the main body; a second set of latchassemblies that are each secured at along at least a portion of thesecond elongated edge of the of the main body; a forward magneticassembly that is formed along the forward edge of the main body, whereinthe forward magnetic assembly includes: a third reinforcement that issecured to the main body along at least a portion of the forward edge; afirst magnet that is secured to the main body along at least a portionof the forward edge of the main body, wherein the first magnet ispositioned to be substantially adjacent to the third reinforcement, andwherein the first magnets is dimensioned such that first magnet, assecured to the main body, is configured to form an interference fitwithin a gap of a forward assembly of a vehicle; and a fourthreinforcement that is formed along at least a portion of the forwardedge of the main body, wherein the fourth reinforcement is positioned tobe substantially adjacent to the first magnet; a support assembly thatis secured to the main body and spaced apart from the forward magneticassembly, wherein the support assembly includes: a support member thatis secured to the main body and that extends between the first andsecond elongated edges, wherein the support member has a first end and asecond end; a first latch assembly from the first set of latchassemblies that is substantially aligned with the first end of thesupport member; and a first latch assembly from the second set of latchassemblies that is substantially aligned with the second end of thesupport member; a second magnet that is secured to the main body alongthe first elongated edge; and a third magnet that is secured to the mainbody along the second elongated edge.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the secondmagnet further comprises a first plurality of magnets that are spacedapart from one another along the first elongated edge, and wherein thethird magnet further comprises a second plurality of magnets that arespaced apart from one another along the second elongated edge.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the firstplurality of magnets are positioned to be substantially coextensive withthe first reinforcement, and wherein the second plurality of magnets arepositioned to be substantially coextensive with the secondreinforcement.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, theapparatus further comprises a port assembly that is substantiallyalighted with and spaced apart from the first and second pluralities ofmagnets, wherein the port assembly includes: a fifth reinforcement thatis secured to the main body along the periphery of a port formed in themain body; and a fourth magnet that is secured to the main body alongthe periphery of the port formed in the main body and spaced apart fromthe fifth reinforcement.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of thelatch assemblies further comprises: a strap that is secured to the mainbody, wherein the strap has first and second ends; a female receptaclethat is slidably secured to the first end of the strap; a malereceptacle that is slidably secured to the second end of the strap,wherein the male and female receptacle are configured to interlock withone another.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supportassembly further comprises a fifth reinforcement that is secured to themain body and that is generally coextensive with the support member.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supportmember is a steel rod.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the firstand second reinforcements are straps sewn to the main body along atleast a portion of the first and second elongated edges.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the thirdreinforcement is a guard, wherein the guard is a solid plastic body.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a soft topis provided. The soft top that is configured to attach to a roll cage ofa vehicle having a forward assembly with a gap, a central bar, a rearbar, a passenger-side bar, and a driver-side bar, the soft topcomprising: a main body having: a top side that is configured to facethe exterior of the vehicle; a bottom side that is configured to facethe interior of the vehicle; a forward edge that is configured to bealigned with the forward assembly of the roll cage of the vehicle; arear edge that configured to be aligned with the rear bar of the rollcage of the vehicle, wherein the forward edge is substantially parallelto the rear edge; a first elongated edge that extends between theforward edge and rear edge and that is configured to be aligned with thedriver-side bar of the roll cage of the vehicle; a second elongated edgethat extends between the forward edge and rear edge and that isconfigured to be aligned with the driver-side bar of the roll cage ofthe vehicle, wherein the first elongated edge is substantially parallelto the second elongated edge; a first strap that is sewn to the top sideof the main body along at least a portion of the periphery of the mainbody along the first elongated edge; a second strap that is sewn to thetop side of the main body along at least a portion of the periphery ofthe main body along the second elongated edge; a plurality of pads sewnto bottom side the main body along the periphery of the main body,wherein the pads are spaced apart from one another; a first set of latchassemblies that are each sewn to the bottom side of the main body alongat least a portion periphery of the main body at the first elongatededge of the of the main body, wherein the first set of latch assembliesis configured to be secured the soft top to the driver-side bar; asecond set of latch assemblies that are each sewn to the bottom side ofthe main body along at least a portion periphery of the main body at thesecond elongated edge of the of the main body, wherein the second set oflatch assemblies is configured to be secured the soft top to thepassenger-side bar; a second set of latch assemblies that are each sewnat along at least a portion of the second elongated edge of the of themain body; a forward magnetic assembly that is formed along the forwardedge of the main body, wherein the forward magnetic assembly includes: aguard that is sewn to the top side of the main body along the peripheryof the main body at the forward edge of the main body; a first set ofmagnets, wherein each magnet from the first set of magnets is sewn tothe main body along at least a portion of the forward edge of the mainbody, and wherein the magnets from the first set of magnets are spacedapart from one another, and wherein each magnet from the first set ofmagnets is positioned to be substantially adjacent to the guard, andwherein each magnet from the first set of magnets is dimensioned suchthat first magnet, as sewn to the main body, is configured to form aninterference fit within the gap of the forward assembly of a vehicle,and wherein the first set of magnets is configured to magneticallyengage the forward assembly of the roll cage; and a third strap that issewn to the top side of the main body along at least a portion of theforward edge of the main body, wherein the fourth reinforcement ispositioned to be substantially adjacent to the first set of magnets; asupport assembly that is secured to the main body and spaced apart fromthe forward magnetic assembly, wherein the support assembly includes: asupport member that is sewn to the main body and that extends betweenthe first and second elongated edges, wherein the support member has afirst end and a second end; a first latch assembly from the first set oflatch assemblies that is substantially aligned with the first end of thesupport member; and a first latch assembly from the second set of latchassemblies that is substantially aligned with the second end of thesupport member; a second set of magnets, wherein each magnet from thesecond set of magnets is sewn to the main body along the first elongatededge, wherein the second set of magnets is configure to magneticallyengage the driver-side bar and is configured to be aligned with a firstend of the central bar of the roll cage of the vehicle; and a third setof magnets, wherein each magnet from the third set of magnets is securedto the main body along the second elongated edge, wherein the third setof magnets is configure to magnetically engage the driver-side bar andis configured to be aligned with a second end of the central bar of theroll cage of the vehicle.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the secondset of magnets are positioned to be substantially coextensive with thefirst strap, and wherein the third set of magnets are positioned to besubstantially coextensive with the second strap.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, theapparatus further comprises a port assembly that is substantiallyalighted with and spaced apart from the first and second pluralities ofmagnets, wherein the port assembly includes: a fourth strap that is sewnto the top side of the main body along the periphery of a port formed inthe main body, wherein the port is configured to be aligned with a rooflock positioned within the central bar of the roll cage of the vehicle;and a port magnet that is sewn to the main body along the periphery ofthe port formed in the main body and spaced apart from the fourth strap.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supportassembly further comprises a fifth strap that is sewn to the top side ofthe main body and that is generally coextensive with the support member.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, each magnetand the support member are sewn to the main body by way of a pocket.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the guard isa solid plastic body, and wherein each strap is formed of nylon, andwherein the main body is at least partially transparent to sunlight.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method isprovided. The method for securing a soft top to a vehicle, wherein thevehicle includes a roll cage of a vehicle having a forward assembly witha gap, a central bar, a rear bar, a passenger-side bar, and adriver-side bar, and wherein the soft top includes: a main body having aforward edge, a rear edge, a first elongated edge, and a secondelongated edge, wherein the first and second elongated edges extendsbetween the forward edge and rear edge; a first reinforcement that issecured to the main body along at least a portion of the first elongatededge of the main body; a second reinforcement that is secured to themain body along at least a portion of the second elongated edge of themain body; a first set of latch assemblies that are each secured atalong at least a portion of the first elongated edge of the of the mainbody; a second set of latch assemblies that are each secured at along atleast a portion of the second elongated edge of the of the main body; aforward magnetic assembly that is formed along the forward edge of themain body, wherein the forward magnetic assembly includes: a thirdreinforcement that is secured to the main body along at least a portionof the forward edge; a first magnet that is secured to the main bodyalong at least a portion of the forward edge of the main body, whereinthe first magnet is positioned to be substantially adjacent to the thirdreinforcement, and wherein the first magnets is dimensioned such thatfirst magnet, as secured to the main body, is configured to form aninterference fit within a gap of a forward assembly of a vehicle; and afourth reinforcement that is formed along at least a portion of theforward edge of the main body, wherein the fourth reinforcement ispositioned to be substantially adjacent to the first magnet; a supportassembly that is secured to the main body and spaced apart from theforward magnetic assembly, wherein the support assembly includes: asupport member that is secured to the main body and that extends betweenthe first and second elongated edges, wherein the support member has afirst end and a second end; a first latch assembly from the first set oflatch assemblies that is substantially aligned with the first end of thesupport member; and a first latch assembly from the second set of latchassemblies that is substantially aligned with the second end of thesupport member; a second magnet that is secured to the main body alongthe first elongated edge; and a third magnet that is secured to the mainbody along the second elongated edge, the method comprising: positioningthe soft top over the top of the roll cage of the vehicle; securing eachlatch assembly from the first and second sets of latch assemblies to therespective diver-side and passenger-side bars; and inserting the forwardmagnetic assembly into the gap of the forward assembly of the roll cageof the vehicle such that the forward assembly is magnetically andfrictionally engaged with the first magnet.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the soft topincludes a port assembly that is substantially alighted with and spacedapart from the first and second pluralities of magnets, wherein the portassembly includes: a fifth reinforcement that is secured to the mainbody along the periphery of a port formed in the main body; and a fourthmagnet that is secured to the main body along the periphery of the portformed in the main body and spaced apart from the fifth reinforcement,and wherein the method further comprises attaching at least a portion ofa removable roof the vehicle such that it engages a roof lock throughthe port in the main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are depictions of examples of a conventional vehicle witha removed top;

FIG. 3 depicts the underside of a conventional soft top that isconfigured to engage the vehicle shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 depicts the magnetic assembly of the soft top of FIGS. 3 and 5;

FIG. 5 depicts a portion of the top side of the soft top of FIGS. 3 and4;

FIG. 6 depicts the manner in which the clip assembly of the soft top ofFIGS. 3 and 4 engages the roof anchor of the vehicle of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 7 depicts an example of underside of a magnetic soft top;

FIGS. 8, 10, and 11 depict portions of top side of the magnetic soft topof FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 depicts an example of a portion of the magnetic soft top of FIG.7 engaging a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are, for the sake ofclarity, not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similarelements are designated by the same reference numeral through theseveral views.

Turning to FIGS. 7-11, a magnetic soft top 300 can be seen. The magneticsoft top 300 is generally form of a main body 302. The main body 302 istypically formed of multiple layers of fabric that are seamed or sewntogether. The main body 302 may, for example, for a shade top where thefabric (which can, for example, be nylon) are layers of mesh. As shownin this example, the main body 302 is generally rectangular with fouredges: forward 301, rear 303, and two elongated 309. Each of these edges301, 303, and 309 is typically reinforced to prevent fraying. As shownin this example, the reinforcement for each of the elongated edges 309is a strap 315 (which can be formed of nylon). Again, in this example,straps 315 are sewn over the edges and extend over the length of theelongated edges 309. It is possible to use other reinforcements (such asrigid plastics) and position them away from the edges.

Along the forward edge 301, there is a magnetic assembly 304. As shownin this example, the magnetic assembly 304 includes a reinforcement madeof guard 314 formed a rigid plastic body. It is also possible to form itof other materials. It is, however, desirable to use a rigid bodybecause the forward assembly is dimensioned to be inserted into the gapof a forward assembly of a roll cage (e.g., gap 122). Typicallypositioned behind the guard 314 are magnets 306-1 to 306-4 and spacedapart from one another to form, in part, the magnetic assembly 304. Themagnets 306-1 to 306-4 may, for example, be neodymium magnetics and mayhave a strength of about 0.5 T. In this example, the magnets 306-1 to306-4 are sewn to the main body 302 by way of pockets, but there are avariety of other ways to secure the magnets 306-1 to 306-4 (such asgluing or directly sewing). The magnets 306-1 to 306-4 have a thickness,and, as shown in this example, the magnets 306-1 to 306-4, when secured(sewn in pockets as shown) to the main body 302, are dimensioned to forman interference fit with the gap of a forward assembly of a roll cage(e.g., gap 122). Behind the magnets 306-1 to 306-4, there is (as shownin this example) a reinforcement. The reinforcement behind the magnets306-1 to 306-4 in this example is shown to be a strap 308 (e.g., made ofnylon) sewn to the main body 302 and extending between the elongatedsides 309. Other materials and means of securing (e.g., gluing) may beused for this reinforcement.

Behind and spaced away from the forward assembly 304 is a supportassembly 310 in the example shown. The assembly 310 is, for example,formed of a support member (e.g., steel rod 307) sewn to the main body302 by way of a pocket, a reinforcement, and latches 305-1 and 305-2.The reinforcement in this example is shown to be a strap 308 (e.g., madeof nylon) sewn to the main body 302 and extending between the elongatedsides 309. Other materials and means of securing (e.g., gluing) may beused for this reinforcement. The latches 305-1 and 305-2 are, forexample, similar to the latches depicted with the conventional top 200.When this support assembly 310 is secured to roll cage of a vehicle(e.g., 102), it can allow forward assembly to be removed from the gap(e.g., gap 122) and folded back (as shown in FIG. 9). Because theforward assembly of the roll cage is exposed, a removable roof can besecured to the vehicle without removing the soft top 300. There can alsobe other latches (e.g., 305-1) along the elongated edges 309 (e.g., sewnto the body 302) so that they may “wrap around” the driver-side andpassenger-side bars (e.g., 105 and 107) and pulled tight. There can alsobe pads 316 positioned (e.g., sewn to) the underside of the may body 302to provide a barrier between the top and vehicle to prevent scratching.

Additionally, there is a center assembly (which helps prevent buffetinghighway speeds as well as other benefits). The center assembly isgenerally formed of magnets 306-5 to 306-8 and a port assembly 312. Themagnets 306-5 to 306-8 are generally positioned along the elongatededges 309 to be located with or generally coextensive with thereinforcements. As with the other magnets (e.g., 306-1), the magnets306-5 to 306-8 are sewn by way of pockets, but may be secured in othermanners as the other magnets (e.g., 306-1). Additionally, magnets 306-5to 306-8 may be made of the same materials as the other magnets (e.g.,306-1). These magnets 306-5 to 306-8 are typically positioned tomagnetically engage with diver-side and passenger side bars (e.g., 105and 107) and be aligned with the central bar (e.g., 106).

The port assembly 312 is generally positioned to be aligned with themagnets 306-5 to 306-8 and be positioned over a be aligned with a rooflock (as shown in FIG. 11). As shown, there is a port or portal formedin the main body 302 that is configured to expose the roof lock in thecentral bar (e.g., 106) to be exposed. This, like the support assembly310, allows removable roof to be engaged without removing the top 300.Around the periphery of the port or portal is a reinforcement (e.g.,strap 318 that may be sewn to the main body 302). This reinforcement maybe formed of the same material as other straps described above. The portassembly 312 may also include a magnet 306-9 (which, as depicted, may besewn to the main body 302 by way of a pocket). This magnetic 306-9 canbe positioned to along the periphery (adjacent to or spaced away fromthe reinforcement) so that it can magnetically engage the central bar(e.g., 106). It may also be formed of the same materials as the othermagnets (e.g., 306-1) or be secured in a different way (e.g., directlysewn or glued). The port assembly 312 may also include a divider 320that extend across the portal or port.

No term is intended to be construed in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f)unless such term recites the word “means.”

Having thus described the present disclosure by reference to certain ofits preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosedare illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range ofvariations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplatedin the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of thepresent disclosure may be employed without a corresponding use of theother features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claimsbe construed broadly.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a main body havinga forward edge, a rear edge, a first elongated edge, and a secondelongated edge, wherein the first and second elongated edges extendsbetween the forward edge and rear edge; a first magnet that is securedto the main body along at least a portion of the forward edge of themain body, wherein the first magnet is dimensioned such that the firstmagnet, as secured to the main body, is configured to form aninterference fit within a gap of a forward assembly of a vehicle; and asupport assembly that is secured to the main body and spaced apart fromthe first magnetic, wherein the support assembly includes: a supportmember that is secured to the main body and that extends between thefirst and second elongated edges, wherein the support member has a firstend and a second end; a first latch assembly from the first set of latchassemblies that is substantially aligned with the first end of thesupport member; and a first latch assembly from the second set of latchassemblies that is substantially aligned with the second end of thesupport member; a second magnet that is secured to the main body alongthe first elongated edge; and a third magnet that is secured to the mainbody along the second elongated edge.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first magnet further comprises a plurality of magnets. 3.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second magnet further comprises afirst plurality of magnets that are spaced apart from one another alongthe first elongated edge, and wherein the third magnet further comprisesa second plurality of magnets that are spaced apart from one anotheralong the second elongated edge.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, whereinthe first plurality of magnets are positioned to be substantiallycoextensive with the first reinforcement, and wherein the secondplurality of magnets are positioned to be substantially coextensive withthe second reinforcement.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theapparatus further comprises a port assembly that is substantiallyaligned with and spaced apart from the second and third magnets, whereinthe port assembly includes: a reinforcement that is secured to the mainbody; and a fourth magnet that is secured to the main body.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, where the apparatus further comprises a pluralityof latch assemblies secured along at least a portion of the first andsecond elongated edges, wherein each of the latch assemblies furthercomprises: a strap that is secured to the main body, wherein the straphas first and second ends; a female receptacle that is slidably securedto the first end of the strap; a male receptacle that is slidablysecured to the second end of the strap, wherein the male and femalereceptacle are configured to interlock with one another.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member is a steel rod.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises aplurality of reinforcements formed along at least a portion of the firstand second elongated edges.
 9. A soft top that is configured to attachto a roll cage of a vehicle having a forward assembly with a gap, acentral bar, a rear bar, a passenger-side bar, and a driver-side bar,the soft top comprising: a main body having: a top side that isconfigured to face the exterior of the vehicle; a bottom side that isconfigured to face the interior of the vehicle a forward edge that isconfigured to be aligned with the forward assembly of the roll cage ofthe vehicle; a rear edge that configured to be aligned with the rear barof the roll cage of the vehicle, wherein the forward edge issubstantially parallel to the rear edge; a first elongated edge thatextends between the forward edge and rear edge and that is configured tobe aligned with the driver-side bar of the roll cage of the vehicle; asecond elongated edge that extends between the forward edge and rearedge and that is configured to be aligned with the driver-side bar ofthe roll cage of the vehicle, wherein the first elongated edge issubstantially parallel to the second elongated edge; a first magnet thatis secured to the main body along at least a portion of the forward edgeof the main body, wherein the first magnet is dimensioned such that thefirst magnet, as secured to the main body, is configured to form aninterference fit within a gap of a forward assembly of a vehicle; asupport assembly that is secured to the main body and spaced apart fromthe first magnetic, wherein the support assembly includes: a supportmember that is sewn to the main body and that extends between the firstand second elongated edges, wherein the support member has a first endand a second end; a first latch assembly from the first set of latchassemblies that is substantially aligned with the first end of thesupport member; and a first latch assembly from the second set of latchassemblies that is substantially aligned with the second end of thesupport member; a second magnet that is secured to the main body alongat least a portion of the first elongated edge; and a third magnet thatis secured to the main body along at least a portion of the secondelongated edge.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first magnetfurther comprises a plurality of magnets.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein the second magnet further comprises a first plurality of magnetsthat are spaced apart from one another along the first elongated edge,and wherein the third magnet further comprises a second plurality ofmagnets that are spaced apart from one another along the secondelongated edge.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the firstplurality of magnets are positioned to be substantially coextensive withthe first reinforcement, and wherein the second plurality of magnets arepositioned to be substantially coextensive with the secondreinforcement.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatusfurther comprises a port assembly that is substantially aligned with andspaced apart from the second and third magnets, wherein the portassembly includes: a reinforcement that is secured to the main body; anda fourth magnet that is secured to the main body.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 9, where the apparatus further comprises a plurality of latchassemblies secured along at least a portion of the first and secondelongated edges, wherein each of the latch assemblies further comprises:a strap that is secured to the main body, wherein the strap has firstand second ends; a female receptacle that is slidably secured to thefirst end of the strap; a male receptacle that is slidably secured tothe second end of the strap, wherein the male and female receptacle areconfigured to interlock with one another.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein the support member is a steel rod.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein the apparatus further comprises a plurality of reinforcementsformed along at least a portion of the first and second elongated edges.17. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each magnet is sewn to the mainbody by way of a pocket.
 18. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the mainbody is at least partially transparent to sunlight.